QUESTION -- Whenever I purchase household items that have thick packaging encasing them, it takes me a mountain of time and frustration to remove the plastic. Often my scissors can't cut through the thick plastic. Do you have any ideas to make this easier? Gloria (Grand Pointe)ANSWER -- Run a . . .…

Renovation time is a good time to save moolah. It's easy. Just ensure any new light fixtures you buy are equipped with Energy Star approved bulbs and, at the same time, replace existing incandescent lamps in your home with energy-efficient ones. Potential power savings can be almost $140 per bulb.To . . .…

Question: We are building a new home and it's visually important that the five-inch wide engineered hardwood flooring run parallel to the 19.2-inch on centre, spaced wood web-engineered truss floor joists. The builder is installing a 3/4-inch thick OSB subfloor, glued and screwed. Internet research says it's not advisable to . . .…

This time every year my appetite begins to grow for the prospect of bold, audacious colour in the garden.
As agreeable as pastel pinks, whites and silvers can be, serving to draw the eye along, illuminating a shady area or acting as a harmonizer, what appeals now is the vision of . . .…

If your home is outdated or in dire need of repair, renovation may be necessary to get it ready to sell. But which home improvements will fetch the most money? Scott McGillivray, host of HGTV's hit series Income Property, gives his top five recommendations, "to ensure you get the most . . .…

With the analysis of last year's performance and the predictions that come for this year and beyond, there are always a variety of theories and speculations offered to spur discussion and perhaps create some controversy.Although they succeed in getting people talking, they can also create false harm if believed.Following are . . .…

No question about it -- many prospective homebuyers would like to buy a new home.However, in many cases, one major issue prevents them from making the purchase: affordability. Reality is, most folks simply can't afford to shell out $450, 000 or more for a new home, as much as they . . .…

As a home builder, it can be difficult to be daringly different with home designs.Why? Because the homebuilding industry is driven by trends that include open-concept great rooms. Most homes on the market today, for better or for worse, are centred around wide-open great rooms.Thankfully, there's the occasional design that . . .…

Sometimes, it's the little details that can take a new home design from good to great.An example of that is the Kendal, a 1, 520-sq.-ft. bi-level design, said Hearth Homes sales manager Liam Milne."This version of the home is up approximately 100 square feet from three years ago. The extra . . .…

Every day, I receive selected articles from across the country about issues that affect the residential construction industry. These can involve a multitude of topics ranging from government legislation to research studies to local issues. This past week, I noticed a few issues or trends occurring around the country that . . .…

It's something we've all dreamed about -- having our own luxurious mansion to live in.Ideally, it would be situated on a quiet, mature lot. Moreover, that lot would also exude a countrified charm (with its generous width and depth, surrounded by mature trees), yet be close to a wide range . . .…

If you've been looking for a king-sized home that offers gracious living in a countrified setting, there's no need to leave the city behind to find it.Well, almost. Turns out, a meticulously-maintained 2, 105-sq.-ft. bungalow -- a gold-award winner in the 2008 spring Parade of Homes -- is available in . . .…